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St. Martin's Press, Kindle Edition, 317 pages
Description
FBI agent Cadence Jones and her "sociopath" partner, George, get tagged to bring down the Threefer Killer--who soon starts leaving messages that seem to be just for Cadence and her sisters. In the meantime, love blooms in the most unexpected place when Cadence meets her best friend's gorgeous brother who is in town visiting.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Cats57
Me Myself and Why by MaryJanice Davidson
This is the first book in a new trilogy by Ms Davidson and it features Cadence Jones a not so typical FBI agent, who just happens to have a multiple personality disorder or Dissociative Identity Disorder. No, not your usual comedic romance plot lines. But
Unfortunately I had a very difficult time finding anything humorous about an FBI agent with three very different personalities. The personalities range from namby- pamby (Cadence) to down right violent (Adrienne) and smartly manipulative (Shiro). Granted this is a branch of the FBI that can only come out of Ms Davidson’s very fertile imagination, as it also houses pickpockets, sociopaths, psychopaths and other diverse and rather unfunny characters. And the idea that the FBI would use mentally damaged people because if you weren’t already mentally unstable, working the job would make you so, made sense in a twisted sort of way.
The story itself was clever was not difficult to read. What I DID have a problem with was keeping track of which personality I was reading about at the moment. We would start out with Cadence being in the forefront; her conversation or thought would stop half way through and we would be on to Shiro. I did not really understand what was going on in between some of the chapters…who I was reading about until the end I thought it was the killers’ ramblings, but once you know who the killer is you realize that isn’t possible.
The romance was weak and felt somewhat cut and pasted in. Although it’s a nice thought that someone with these kinds of problems would attract a man like that and it makes sense that his upbringing was around his sister who also suffered from a mental issue so he would be familiar and comfortable with a woman with mental health problems. I didn’t like his manipulative ways with Cadence. and I found myself waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’m wondering just what the next two books are going to involve.
This is the first book in a new trilogy by Ms Davidson and it features Cadence Jones a not so typical FBI agent, who just happens to have a multiple personality disorder or Dissociative Identity Disorder. No, not your usual comedic romance plot lines. But
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then again this IS MaryJanice Davidson we’re talking about. She is the one who was able to turn forced sex (MJD did acknowledge this to be a rape scene) into a semi-series and the participants into semi-recurring characters in her Betsy Queen of the Vampires books. So if anyone can take a politically incorrect theme and turn it into an interesting story it’s MaryJanice Davidson.Unfortunately I had a very difficult time finding anything humorous about an FBI agent with three very different personalities. The personalities range from namby- pamby (Cadence) to down right violent (Adrienne) and smartly manipulative (Shiro). Granted this is a branch of the FBI that can only come out of Ms Davidson’s very fertile imagination, as it also houses pickpockets, sociopaths, psychopaths and other diverse and rather unfunny characters. And the idea that the FBI would use mentally damaged people because if you weren’t already mentally unstable, working the job would make you so, made sense in a twisted sort of way.
The story itself was clever was not difficult to read. What I DID have a problem with was keeping track of which personality I was reading about at the moment. We would start out with Cadence being in the forefront; her conversation or thought would stop half way through and we would be on to Shiro. I did not really understand what was going on in between some of the chapters…who I was reading about until the end I thought it was the killers’ ramblings, but once you know who the killer is you realize that isn’t possible.
The romance was weak and felt somewhat cut and pasted in. Although it’s a nice thought that someone with these kinds of problems would attract a man like that and it makes sense that his upbringing was around his sister who also suffered from a mental issue so he would be familiar and comfortable with a woman with mental health problems. I didn’t like his manipulative ways with Cadence. and I found myself waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’m wondering just what the next two books are going to involve.
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LibraryThing member imayb1
I had not read anything by MJD previously, but I'd heard a lot of good things about how humorous her writing style is. Maybe I chose the wrong book to start with, but I cannot stand this author's run-on sentence writing style. She may have put periods into the right places, but the whole thing
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reads like someone's brain is tuned too high and spewing thoughts onto paper as fast as she can gasp out the words. It's like ADHD stream of conciousness writing and I won't be picking up another of this author's books. Show Less
LibraryThing member Readingfanatic1
Cadence Jones is a FBI agent with multiple personality disorder. Her three very distinct personalities include Candence, Adrienne, and Shiro. The problem is you never know which personality you were reading about. Davidson thought it would be a smart idea to change personality not every chapter,
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not every paragraph but sometimes, mid-sentence. It was annoying, confusing and I did not want to waste anymore time trying to figure out what was going on. Therefore, I didn't! Show Less
LibraryThing member Phantasma
Not my favorite of MaryJanice Davidson's work, but still quite enjoyable.
I like the spunky main character and the interesting way she handles her mental illness. Not to mention the supporting character are all interesting and amusing.
My problems stem from the love interest who seems to be in love
The ending was also rather unsatisfying and quite depressing, in my opinion. Although the unveiling of the Three-Fer killer was an interesting twist I didn't expect, but made total sense in the scheme of things.
Basically, if you're a fan of Davidson's, you'll probably like this. If you've never read anything else of hers, you should be aware that while the humor is quite similar to what is found in a "typical" MaryJanice Davidson book, the premise is not. If you disliked this book, please don't take it as a representative sample of her work and avoid her other items. I'd hate for you to miss out on this funny, entertaining author do to an interesting experiment of hers.
I like the spunky main character and the interesting way she handles her mental illness. Not to mention the supporting character are all interesting and amusing.
My problems stem from the love interest who seems to be in love
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with her illness rather than her. A loving and supportive partner would generally not encourage an obviously unhealthy condition. Yet, I couldn't resolve that with the fact that the main character(s) needed someone who accepted all pieces of them.The ending was also rather unsatisfying and quite depressing, in my opinion. Although the unveiling of the Three-Fer killer was an interesting twist I didn't expect, but made total sense in the scheme of things.
Basically, if you're a fan of Davidson's, you'll probably like this. If you've never read anything else of hers, you should be aware that while the humor is quite similar to what is found in a "typical" MaryJanice Davidson book, the premise is not. If you disliked this book, please don't take it as a representative sample of her work and avoid her other items. I'd hate for you to miss out on this funny, entertaining author do to an interesting experiment of hers.
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LibraryThing member VividConfusion
I've been a Mary Janice Davidson fan ever since Betsy ran for the bus with a cold fudge poptart in hand. I've loved her sense of humor and the absurd. But with her latest endeavor, the absurdity just seems disturbing and the humor tragically sad.
As others have written, "Me, Myself, and Why?"
Toss in a series of murders that these people and the protagonist(s?) is/are supposed to solve, and you have little to laugh about. While I suppose this is well written, I'm afraid that Davidson went too far with this one.
I found this book disturbing, disjointed, and depressing. Maybe I'm overly PC, but I found making a joke out of murder and mental illness to be just bad taste and even worse reading.
As others have written, "Me, Myself, and Why?"
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follows an FBI agent with multiple personalities and a tragic history that brought such a condition about. Davidson switches protagonist personalities very often without warning to the reader. You don't know what's coming--or, more accurately, who. The book is populated by emotionally and mentally disturbed characters--often criminally so--who, by all rights, should be institutionalized. And *those* are the "good guys". Toss in a series of murders that these people and the protagonist(s?) is/are supposed to solve, and you have little to laugh about. While I suppose this is well written, I'm afraid that Davidson went too far with this one.
I found this book disturbing, disjointed, and depressing. Maybe I'm overly PC, but I found making a joke out of murder and mental illness to be just bad taste and even worse reading.
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LibraryThing member pacey1927
I love MJD but I have recently felt like it was time for her to end the Queen Betsey series and move on. I was excited to see she had started something new and expected it to be fresh and fun. After the first couple of chapters into this story I was ready to quit reading. The story is unbelievable:
But the worst turn off was how difficult it was to keep track of the personalities and who was 'narrating' the story at the time. These girls switch off, often in mid-sentence. I think the publishing powers that be tried to keep it clean by switching the viewpoints per chapter, but event hen it was confusing at times. The confusion mixed with the complete absurdity of the storyline was nearly too much.
But then, somehow, I got involved in the story. It was a super quick read and when the dominant personality was Candace I found myself enjoying the tale...at least until one of the other personalities turned up. Ugh, so frustrating! The serial killer storyline was actual pretty good. I had figured part of it it out before the revelation but not the whole thing. I also found myself liking a couple of the oddball secondary characters and I almost wonder if this wouldn't have been stronger if the main character was sane and worked with these other mentally challenged employees.
Still I don't know if I could be convinced to read more. I just don't think this is a success for Ms.Davidson and I am truly sorry that it isn't. To date her strongest work remains the first several Queen Betsy books, her Fred the mermaid trilogy, and the Jennifer Scales novels she has co-authored with her husband.
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A branch of the FBI uses mental unstable employees to catch serial Killers? This includes employees such as our main character Candace who has multiply personality disorder and her partner George who is a psychopath. There is a kleptomaniac and a schizophrenic. Whatever afflicts you, you can have a job with the FBI. The idea that a rich, nice, handsome man could be attracted to (and think is cutsie) for his girlfriend to have three personalties is just bizarre. He doesn't mind when the super crazy one comes out and gets violent to him or the sharp, unfriendly one is rude to him....oh and he doesn't mind when one of them knocks him out with a blow to the head. For no real reason. But the worst turn off was how difficult it was to keep track of the personalities and who was 'narrating' the story at the time. These girls switch off, often in mid-sentence. I think the publishing powers that be tried to keep it clean by switching the viewpoints per chapter, but event hen it was confusing at times. The confusion mixed with the complete absurdity of the storyline was nearly too much.
But then, somehow, I got involved in the story. It was a super quick read and when the dominant personality was Candace I found myself enjoying the tale...at least until one of the other personalities turned up. Ugh, so frustrating! The serial killer storyline was actual pretty good. I had figured part of it it out before the revelation but not the whole thing. I also found myself liking a couple of the oddball secondary characters and I almost wonder if this wouldn't have been stronger if the main character was sane and worked with these other mentally challenged employees.
Still I don't know if I could be convinced to read more. I just don't think this is a success for Ms.Davidson and I am truly sorry that it isn't. To date her strongest work remains the first several Queen Betsy books, her Fred the mermaid trilogy, and the Jennifer Scales novels she has co-authored with her husband.
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LibraryThing member dearheart
Cadence Jones has three personalities, referring to the other two as her sisters. She/they work for the BOFFO section of the FBI, a secret unit made up of those with personality and other mental disorders; their issues help them think outside of the box to bring in the bad guys.
Funny characters abound in this story that frequently jumps from one sister to another, depending on the current situation they are in. Cadence is the main driver, but Shiro and Adrienne are taking over more often, especially when mild-mannered Cadence becomes fearful or angry.
Add to the mix Patrick, Cadence’s best friend’s older brother who knows all about her and likes all of the sisters, even though their antics concerning him would cause others to run away.
Once again MJD has stepped outside the comfortable boundaries of story-telling. It’s very obvious when a different sister takes the driver’s seat (as well as which one it is), and never just for the heck of it. Cadence often finds herself in funny situations when the sisters pull back and let her drive again when around others.
Who else could build a funny story about serious disorders without actually making fun of them that can ask whether or not integrating the sisters back into one personality could be considered murder?
First book in a trilogy.
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Cadence/Shiro/Adrienne, along with their partner, a sociopath named George, are working the ThreeFer serial killer case, and it becomes apparent that the killer knows the ‘sisters.’Funny characters abound in this story that frequently jumps from one sister to another, depending on the current situation they are in. Cadence is the main driver, but Shiro and Adrienne are taking over more often, especially when mild-mannered Cadence becomes fearful or angry.
Add to the mix Patrick, Cadence’s best friend’s older brother who knows all about her and likes all of the sisters, even though their antics concerning him would cause others to run away.
Once again MJD has stepped outside the comfortable boundaries of story-telling. It’s very obvious when a different sister takes the driver’s seat (as well as which one it is), and never just for the heck of it. Cadence often finds herself in funny situations when the sisters pull back and let her drive again when around others.
Who else could build a funny story about serious disorders without actually making fun of them that can ask whether or not integrating the sisters back into one personality could be considered murder?
First book in a trilogy.
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LibraryThing member crishaynes
I have mixed emotions on this one. I am a huge MJD fan and had some pretty high expectations. I did find this book to be very creative in theory. The premise is based on a character with multiple personalities. The main character, Cadence, is the main one. I found her to be very likeable and funny.
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Shiro was interesting and Adrienne was nuts. It was hard to follow who was narrating whenever they switched. The plot would have been easier to follow it there was an easier way to differenciate this. I almost believe this would do better as a movie. Typically, it is easier to follow when their voice and facial expressions change. In this case, once you read on and figure it out, you will need to go back and read the scenario again to follow it correctly. This did become a but frustrating. I would agree with the other reviews that the love interest was placed in the book oddly where it was almost an after thought. The reader did not have enough time to develop emotionally with it. The ending was clever. I will read the next one before deciding if I truly like this as a series or not. Overall, it was funny and creative. A very light and quick read. Show Less
LibraryThing member 24girl
I was so disappointed in this book. I am a HUGE fan of everything else MaryJanice has written including the YA series she writes with her husband but this one is too confusing and disjointed to be good.
I get that it's somewhat choppy because of Cadence's Multiple Personality Disorder but besides
In addition I felt that it was just too predictable. I figured out the ending way to soon and I'm sad to say this one is not something I could recommend.
I get that it's somewhat choppy because of Cadence's Multiple Personality Disorder but besides
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those shifts in the middle of sentences the storyline jumps all over the place too and it was disorienting. I found myself having to re-read several pages to understand what just happened. In addition I felt that it was just too predictable. I figured out the ending way to soon and I'm sad to say this one is not something I could recommend.
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LibraryThing member Bookmyer
I really enjoyed the story, but found it hard to follow the changing points of view. The chapters often changed in the middle of a sentence. And you have to love first person writing.
The story itself kept me guessing as to who the bad person was. And I was expecting more of a romance and it was a
The story itself kept me guessing as to who the bad person was. And I was expecting more of a romance and it was a
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suspence/murder story. If she continues this as a series - I will probably buy the next one. Just so I can see where the main and secondary characters go after this. I would have liked a more realistic job. I just can't see this as an X-file kind of setting. Show Less
LibraryThing member kresslya
Like other books by this author I found the book very entreating. I loved the 3 sisters coming in and out and driving the body. The sister’s personalities and their antics are great. The end left me feeling a bit flat, I wish there had been more information in the last couple of chapters. This
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book did not have the same quality and texture as her other books Show Less
LibraryThing member Keng
I am a huge MJD fan but this book left me confused. It took me awhile to get the rhythm of the book and even once I did I found it really choppy. I liked the idea of the book - it was completely original - but the reality of the book was confusing.
It took a long time to find out the history of the
It took a long time to find out the history of the
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sisters which I think knowing a little sooner would have made it easier to get into the book. According to MJD's note this is supposed to be a trilogy and I find that I will most likely keep reading to see what happens. I really liked how the girls and the baker got on. Show Less
LibraryThing member seducedbybooks
My, Myself and Why is the first in a new trilogy by MaryJanice Davidson. I was excited to read it, but also a bit worried. Since I’m so used to reading Davidson’s Undead series, and this is so different, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to get into it. I was wrong!
The book took me a few
The book took me a few
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chapters to get sucked in, but I’m definitely glad I kept reading! Cadence Jones is a member of BOFFO, which is a division of the FBI made up of people with all sorts of psychological disorders – like multiple personalities, sociopaths, kleptomaniacs, and many others. She, along with her “sisters” (Shiro and Adrienne) and her partner George – literally a sociopath – are on the case of the ThreeFer Killer. As twisted as George is, you can’t help but laugh at some of his outbursts. With Cadence, at first I wasn’t sure if I liked the transitions between her and her “sisters” as they seemed a bit abrupt. Then, the more I read I realized it made complete sense how they were done; especially how the transitions were often a chapter change. I think it helps you sort of get an idea of how Cadence must feel when one of them makes an appearance. I was also intrigued by the cast of characters that work with Cadence at BOFFO. I found it interesting to see how all these people with such an array of mental problems work together as a unit. One of the most unique ones (so far) is the member of the team that is agoraphobic. When an agoraphobic character was mentioned, I wondered how someone with that problem would be able to work with an FBI team. I thought Davidson was quite clever in how she had them be a valuable asset! Then again, she usually is clever like that! Cadence’s love interest is also entertaining. It’s funny how much he likes Cadence’s extreme uniqueness! I can’t wait to see how the relationship develops and where the rest of the trilogy takes us! Show Less
LibraryThing member frisbeesage
Candace Jones is an FBI operative in a very special, super-secret branch of the organization. She, and all her collegues have various mental disabilites that make them uniquely suited to hunting down and bagging the criminals they seek. Candace, dealing with multiple personality disorder, and her
This is an outrageous, over-the-top, tongue in cheek kind of book. If you are looking for something believable or a serious mystery this is not the book for you. However, if you are looking for a few laughs and a pleasant distraction I recomend you give it a try. I really liked Candace and all her collegues and the mystery started out entertaining enough. The story got a little too outrageous for me towards the end, I wish the mystery part had been written better. Still, the characters were great and the idea was pretty original. This is the first book by Mary Janice Davidson I've read and I will likely read more.
I listened to this book on audio, read by Renee Raudman. She does a fantastic job with the narration. Candace's three personalites are very distinct, it's always easy to tell which one is present, yet they sound similar enough to be related. All the wacky energy of this book comes through in the lively reading. This is an audiobook that I imagine is an improvement on the print version. The perfect distraction for a long commute!
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partner, a sociopath, are on the trail of a notorious serial killer. This is an outrageous, over-the-top, tongue in cheek kind of book. If you are looking for something believable or a serious mystery this is not the book for you. However, if you are looking for a few laughs and a pleasant distraction I recomend you give it a try. I really liked Candace and all her collegues and the mystery started out entertaining enough. The story got a little too outrageous for me towards the end, I wish the mystery part had been written better. Still, the characters were great and the idea was pretty original. This is the first book by Mary Janice Davidson I've read and I will likely read more.
I listened to this book on audio, read by Renee Raudman. She does a fantastic job with the narration. Candace's three personalites are very distinct, it's always easy to tell which one is present, yet they sound similar enough to be related. All the wacky energy of this book comes through in the lively reading. This is an audiobook that I imagine is an improvement on the print version. The perfect distraction for a long commute!
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LibraryThing member saltypepper
This book was nowhere near as charming or funny as it wanted to be. I had no problem figuring out which of the heroine's personality was meant to be narrating at any given moment. I just couldn't figure out why the cold, violent, hyper-focused, borderline Asperger's syndrome, lesbian personality
I don't need to read anymore of this series, thanks.
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(Shiro) needed to be Asian. Think O-ren Ishii from Kill Bill, but lesbian and on the Autistic spectrum. This is a personality who was "created" to protect the more socially charming, but less tough "main" personality, Cadence, who is white. I am not sure how she could be more "other," unless she was the completely uncontrolled Adrienne who is pure violent id. I don't need to read anymore of this series, thanks.
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LibraryThing member AwesomeAud
Agent Jones is an agent in a secret department of the FBI. She also has multiple personality disorder. Cadence is the girl next door, with people skills, Shiro is tough, practical, and stoic, and Adrienne...well you don't want to meet Adrienne. Now the 'sisters' are after the Threefer Killer, a
I liked this book more than I've liked many of Davidson's recent books. I've been finding her characters rather flat, and in this book, you expect MPD's alter egos to be a bit one-dimensional. It looks like there may be more books in this series, and I will keep an eye out for them.
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serial killer who always kills in threes. I liked this book more than I've liked many of Davidson's recent books. I've been finding her characters rather flat, and in this book, you expect MPD's alter egos to be a bit one-dimensional. It looks like there may be more books in this series, and I will keep an eye out for them.
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LibraryThing member knitzolibrarian
I liked the concept but I found it a bit confusing. I prefer Davidson's "Queen Betsy" series.
LibraryThing member bunwat
Fluffy, comedic, a little bit dark and not at all demanding romantic comedy about a zany FBI agent with multiple personalities chasing a serial killer and a cute guy who runs a bakery. That description right there should tell you whether or not the book is going to work for you. If you tend to take
This book is absurd but it knows its absurd and isn't pretending to be anything else. The premise of the main character having multiples, some of whom are violent, but somehow never quite violent enough to hurt anyone we are supposed to like is nonsensical, and the switching between different personalities ends up making the book a little disjointed and hard to keep track of. But its all handled with a light touch and in good fun.
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things seriously and be offended by people who don't, run. Run far far away. This book is absurd but it knows its absurd and isn't pretending to be anything else. The premise of the main character having multiples, some of whom are violent, but somehow never quite violent enough to hurt anyone we are supposed to like is nonsensical, and the switching between different personalities ends up making the book a little disjointed and hard to keep track of. But its all handled with a light touch and in good fun.
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LibraryThing member SunnySD
The many faces of Eve, if Eve was an federal agent. In Minneapolis. Tracking a serial killer. And struggling with dating. Narrated in choppy segments by the three personalities, I suspect it's supposed to be humorous. It's not. Appropriate title, though - I was definitely left wondering why reading
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this sounded like a good idea. Show Less
LibraryThing member StarKnits
I wasn't sure if I would like this book but I did!
Original publication date
2010-09-28
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Pages
317